Leveraging Thought Leadership Peter Winick and Bill Sherman

In this compelling episode of Thought Leadership Leverage, host Peter Winick dives deep with Matt Hullander, a versatile entrepreneur from Chattanooga, Tennessee. Hullander, who has ventured into real estate development, e-commerce, private equity, recently authored the inspiring book "The Daily Climb: 10 Principles to Change Your Life." Today, he shares his transformative journey from business mogul to author.

After selling his successful home improvement company in 2021, Hullander faced a life-altering cancer scare. This experience shifted his perspective, prompting him to reflect on his purpose. At 50, he felt compelled to share his life lessons and stories to benefit others. Proceeds from his book, "The Daily Climb," support teenage suicide prevention (The Jason Foundation), demonstrating his commitment to making a difference.

Hullander’s book challenges traditional goal-setting paradigms, advocating for a vision-driven approach. He emphasizes building habits that align with the life you want, rather than merely setting goals. Other principles include the importance of finding a guide, akin to his fly-fishing mentor, and the value of surrounding oneself with a supportive tribe.

Writing the "The Daily Climb" has created unexpected opportunities, opening new doors for Hullander, expanding his network beyond Tennessee and into various industries. The book has also led to speaking engagements, enhancing his credibility and setting him apart in his field.

Hullander encourages aspiring authors to leverage hybrid and self-publishing models. He highlights the importance of seeking guidance, sharing how his publisher, Foresight Publishers, helped him shape his book’s content and design. His message is clear: with the right support, anyone can bring their book to life.

Three Key Takeaways:

• Embrace Life's Challenges as Opportunities: Matt Hullander's cancer scare transformed his outlook, leading him to share his experiences and insights through his book, "The Daily Climb." This illustrates the importance of turning personal challenges into opportunities for growth and contribution.

• Vision Over Goals: Hullander advocates for a vision-driven approach rather than traditional goal-setting. By focusing on the habits and lifestyle that align with your envisioned future, you can create lasting change and achieve a more fulfilling life.

• Seek Guidance and Build a Supportive Tribe: Hullander emphasizes the value of having mentors and a supportive community. Whether through a life coach, business guide, or peer groups, surrounding yourself with knowledgeable and supportive individuals can significantly enhance your success and personal growth.

If you have a vision for your business, then you'll want to check out this article How Are You Applying Your Vision by Thought Leadership Leverage Founder and CEO Peter Winick.

In this episode of Thought Leadership Leverage, host Bill Sherman sits down with Clemence Sop, the Head of Marketing Innovation at InterSystems, for an insightful discussion on marketing high-ticket items, leveraging digital platforms, and the power of thought leadership.

Clemence shares her fascinating journey from yacht sales to marketing innovation, highlighting the complexity and strategy involved in selling luxury items. She delves into the concept of a cultivation strategist, emphasizing the importance of digital knowledge and social listening to engage potential buyers at the right moment.

Drawing from real-life experiences, Clemence explains how using
LinkedIn and celebrity brand ambassadors can build trust and nurture relationships with high-profile clients. She illustrates how
positioning oneself as a trusted advisor can enhance visibility and
engagement, even with audiences outside the initial target group.

Bill and Clemence explore her career transition from supply chain
engineering to big data and social media, driven by her curiosity
about the future impact of collective intelligence and connection data on human behavior and business.

In her current role, Clemence spearheads innovative marketing
solutions to tackle existing challenges. She narrates a compelling
story about addressing thought leadership needs in Belgium’s
healthcare system through the "One Patient, One Record" initiative. By sharing personal stories and building a community around patient data challenges, InterSystems was able to foster trust and drive meaningful change.

The episode concludes with a discussion on overcoming mental and spam filters in today’s saturated digital landscape. Clemence emphasizes the necessity of targeting a specific audience, creating relevant content, and establishing authentic connections through thought leadership.

Tune in to learn from Clemence Sop’s unique experiences and insights on transforming marketing strategies through innovation and thought leadership.

Three Key Takeaways:

• Strategic Digital Engagement: Clemence Sop emphasizes the importance of leveraging digital knowledge and social listening to effectively engage potential buyers. By cultivating relationships through targeted digital networking and positioning oneself as a trusted advisor, brands can enhance their visibility and build trust with high-profile clients.

• The Power of Personal Stories in Thought Leadership: The "One Patient, One Record" initiative showcases the effectiveness of using personal stories to address pain points and build a community. By sharing authentic experiences and focusing on the emotional aspects of patient data challenges, InterSystems was able to establish trust and drive meaningful conversations in the healthcare sector.

• Navigating Content Saturation: In a world overwhelmed with digital content, it is crucial to target specific audiences with relevant and purposeful content. Clemence highlights the need for authenticity and relevance in thought leadership, ensuring that content not only reaches but resonates with the intended audience, thereby overcoming mental and spam filters.

If you want to learn more about thought leadership marketing check out this article Decoding Thought Leadership Marketing: A Blueprint for Success by Thought Leadership Leverage Founder and CEO Peter Winick.

In this episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership, host Bill Sherman engages with Steve Wunker, Managing Director of New Market Advisors and co-author of the groundbreaking book The Innovative Leader: Step-By-Step Lessons from Top Innovators For You and Your Organization. Join them as they delve into the intricacies of fostering innovation within organizations and cultivating innovative leadership.

Steve Wunker shares the core essence of The Innovative Leader,
emphasizing its focus on the practical "how" of innovation. Drawing from interviews with 50 top innovative leaders and two decades of professional experience, the book provides actionable insights for individuals and organizations aiming to embrace innovation effectively.

Delving into the genesis of the book, Wunker explains the  rationale behind merging leadership and innovation, bridging a crucial gap in existing literature. He recounts his journey collaborating with luminaries like Clayton Christensen and Fred Reichheld, emphasizing the transformative power of distilling complex concepts into compelling narratives.

The Innovative Leader isn't just another book; it's a culmination of
rigorous research and inductive conversations aimed at  demystifying innovation. Wunker sheds light on the book's data-driven approach, underscored by the belief that innovation is fundamentally about systems rather than sporadic bursts of inspiration.

As they explore the strategies for book promotion, Wunker emphasizes the importance of striking a balance between broad outreach and deep engagement. From social media blitzes to keynote speeches and immersive articles, the book's marketing campaign is meticulously crafted to resonate with diverse audiences.

Looking ahead, Wunker envisions The Innovative Leader as a seminal work shaping the landscape of innovative leadership for years to come. With aspirations for it to become a staple on the shelves of aspiring and seasoned leaders alike, Wunker  underscores the importance of continuous engagement and dissemination across various platforms.

Tune in to this episode for invaluable insights into building a
culture of innovation and unlocking the potential of leadership in
driving meaningful change within organizations.

Three Key Takeaways:

• Innovation is Systematic: The episode emphasizes that innovation isn't merely a stroke of luck or genius but a systematic process. By understanding and implementing effective systems, individuals and organizations can foster a culture of innovation and sustain it over time.

• Practical Actionability: The Innovative Leader stands out for its
emphasis on practicality and actionability. It fills the gap in
existing literature by providing step-by-step guidance for leaders and managers who aspire to drive innovation within their organizations, offering tangible strategies derived from real-world experiences.

• Comprehensive Marketing Strategy: Wunker highlights the significance of a comprehensive marketing strategy for launching a book successfully. By combining broad outreach through platforms like social media with deep engagement via keynote speeches, articles, and podcasts, authors can maximize their book's impact and ensure its longevity in the market.

If you want to learn more about balancing Innovation and Integration be sure to check out this article by Thought Leadership Leverage founder and CEO Peter Winick.

In this episode of "Leveraging Thought Leadership," host Peter Winick sits down with Tony Martignetti, Founder and Chief  Inspiration Officer at Inspired Purpose Partners, author of  climbing The Right Mountain: Navigating the Journey to An Inspired Life and host of the Virtual Campfire podcast. Tony shares  his journey into the world of thought leadership, which began not from a clear plan, but through a series of life shifts that revealed a deeper passion for guiding leaders in chaotic times.

Tony describes how his path transitioned from finance and  strategy roles in biotech to thought leadership and executive coaching. Despite success in his previous careers, he felt  something was missing. Growing up, Tony had a creative side, known for his art, but societal expectations pushed him toward pre-med and then business. The discomfort of being in the wrong field led him to re-evaluate his career, ultimately deciding to forge his own path. He emphasizes the importance of creating your  own place when you don't fit in elsewhere, using curiosity and exploration to discover where you belong.

His approach to finding his niche combined a balance of passion,
skill, and market demand. Tony introduces his guiding philosophy,
"Expand your vision, narrow your focus," encouraging exploration
before narrowing down on a specific area to serve. By having
"curiosity conversations," he was able to understand the problems and pain points of others, leading him to his current role as an executive coach for tech leaders.

Tony's clients are typically in the tech industry, where his unique
perspective aligns well with innovative thinkers. He helps chief
technology officers, chief science officers, and chief strategy
officers communicate their technical ideas to a broader audience and break down silos within their organizations. Through his  work, he facilitates better communication among teams and creates a collaborative environment for leaders.

While most of his work requires being physically present with his
clients, Tony is considering productizing some aspects of his coaching to offer more scalable solutions in the future. He acknowledges the challenge many thought leaders face with marketing and sales and shares his three-part strategy to overcome it: "Affiliate, Associate, Collaborate." This approach involves partnering with other experts, engaging in professional groups, and collaborating with others to create greater impact.

Overall, this episode delves into Tony's journey from a traditional
career path to becoming a thought leader in the tech industry. It
highlights his insights into building connections, fostering communication, and navigating the challenges of a rapidly  hanging world.

Three Key Takeaways:

• Forge Your Own Path: Tony Martignetti's journey illustrates that
career paths are not always linear. He transitioned from finance and strategy roles in biotech to thought leadership in tech,  emphasizing that sometimes you need to create the place where you belong rather than trying to fit into predefined roles. He encourages people to use curiosity and exploration to find their unique path.

• Expand Your Vision, Narrow Your Focus: Tony's guiding  philosophy underscores the importance of exploring a wide range of possibilities before honing in on a specific niche. This approach allows for a broader understanding of where one can make the most impact before concentrating efforts on a particular area. Through "curiosity conversations," he was able to understand others' needs and pain points, guiding him to his current role as an executive coach for tech leaders.

• Affiliate, Associate, Collaborate: Tony shares his strategy for
overcoming the marketing and sales challenges that many thought leaders face. This three-part approach involves affiliating with other experts to offer comprehensive solutions, associating with professional groups for personal and business development, an

In this episode of the Thought Leadership Leverage podcast, host Bill Sherman dives into the realities of space settlement with Kelly Weinersmith, biologist and adjunct assistant professor at Rice University, and Zach Weinersmith, comic artist and author. Known for their book "Soonish: Ten Emerging Technologies That'll Improve and/or Ruin Everything," the Weinersmiths have recently released "A City on Mars: Can We Settle Space, Should We Settle Space, and Have We Really Thought This Through?"—a book that raises tough questions about the feasibility and ethics of colonizing new worlds.
The episode uncovers some hard truths behind the idea of settling space. While space exploration seems exciting and full of promise, the Weinersmiths caution that many of the technological, biological, and social challenges remain unsolved. In their book, they explore whether the dream of building new worlds in space is achievable or could lead to unexpected consequences.
Kelly and Zach discuss the evolution of their book's thesis—from an optimistic view of imminent space settlement to a more nuanced, realistic perspective. They reveal how their research journey influenced this shift, sharing the complexities of dealing with sensitive topics and the mixed reactions they received from the space community. While some experts supported their critical approach, others reacted with resistance and disappointment.
The episode also touches on the importance of humor in science communication. The Weinersmiths explain how humor helps make complex ideas more accessible and engaging. Their book, filled with witty illustrations and anecdotes, balances deep scientific insights with a lighthearted touch, providing a unique take on the question of space colonization.
Bill and his guests explore the broader implications of space settlement, examining potential issues such as the environmental impact, the governance of space colonies, and the psychological effects of living in confined, isolated environments. The conversation also highlights the importance of empirical evidence and the rigorous research methods employed by the Weinersmiths, who sought input from a wide range of experts to build a comprehensive view of space settlement's challenges and opportunities.
Tune in to this thought-provoking episode for a deep dive into the reality of space exploration, the impact of metaphor on our understanding of complex concepts, and the role of humor in making science accessible. Whether you're a CEO, leadership coach, entrepreneur, or thought leader, you'll find valuable insights into why space settlement might be more complicated than it seems—and why a critical perspective is essential as we look to the stars.
Three Key Takeaways:
• The Challenges of Space Settlement Are Complex and Multidisciplinary Kelly and Zach Weinersmith's book, "A City on Mars," explores the myriad challenges of space settlement, from technological to biological, psychological, and legal issues. Their extensive research reveals that many unresolved questions make the idea of colonizing Mars or other celestial bodies far more complex than it might seem. They underscore that successful space settlement requires significant advancements in multiple fields, and many assumptions about its feasibility may not hold up under scrutiny.
• Humor as a Tool for Science Communication The Weinersmiths demonstrate the importance of humor in making complex scientific topics accessible and engaging. They explain how humor can be used to break down barriers and keep audiences interested, even when discussing dense subjects like space law or the psychological effects of isolation. By weaving humor into their work, they make the science approachable while still maintaining accuracy and depth.
• The Impact of Metaphors on Perception The guests discuss how metaphors can shape our understanding of complex concepts like space exploration. Zach Weinersmith points out that metaphors, like the "

In this episode of the Thought Leadership Leverage podcast, host Peter Winick sits down with Robert Hargrove, founder and CEO of Masterful Coaching, co-founder of the Harvard Leadership Project, and author of ten influential books, including "Masterful Coaching." This insightful discussion explores the evolving landscape of thought leadership, focusing on the shifting dynamics in publishing and the rise of social media.

Robert shares his unique perspective on how publishing has transformed over the years. During a recent visit to a Barnes & Noble, he noticed that most books in business and politics were authored by thought leaders. However, when he browsed LinkedIn, he observed a wave of recycled content from decades ago, repackaged as something new. This led to a conversation about how thought leadership has moved from long-form content, such as books, to short-form content on social media. While social media provides rapid access to ideas, Robert and Peter discuss the significant difference in depth and quality between reading a book and scanning a LinkedIn post.

Defining thought leadership, Robert describes it as presenting a big idea that is eye-opening, brain-tingling, and paradigm- shifting. He emphasizes that the idea doesn't need to be entirely original but should offer a new perspective or improve upon existing concepts. He uses Marty Neumeier's "Brand Flip" as an example of how traditional ideas can be approached in a fresh way. 

The conversation delves into the nuances of thought leadership on social media, addressing the importance of civil discourse and
respectful disagreement. Robert stresses that engaging with others' ideas and leaving thoughtful comments can foster a healthy exchange and build new relationships. He also discusses his journey into podcasting and the impact of verbal interactions on the audience, highlighting how even non-groundbreaking conversations can spark meaningful thoughts among listeners.

Finally, Robert and Peter share their favorite podcasts and writers,
such as Malcolm Gladwell and Adam Grant, comparing their unique styles in both book and podcast formats.

Tune in to explore the evolution of thought leadership and gain
insights into how to navigate and succeed in this changing  landscape.

Three Key Takeaways:

• Shift from Long-Form to Short-Form Thought Leadership: The landscape of thought leadership has shifted from long-form content, like books, to short-form content on social media platforms. While this change offers accessibility and immediacy, it can lead to a reduction in depth and quality. Robert Hargrove discusses how, in the past, a book was a hallmark of thought leadership, but today, many thought leaders focus on shorter, more digestible content. This shift requires a balanced approach to maintain quality while reaching a broader audience.

• Redefining Thought Leadership: Thought leadership is not just about creating original ideas; it's about presenting concepts in a way that is eye-opening, paradigm-shifting, or improving upon existing ideas. Robert emphasizes that thought leadership can be delivered through various mediums, including speeches, podcasts, and social media, not just books. He cites Marty Neumeier's "Brand Flip" as an example of presenting traditional ideas with a fresh perspective, highlighting that thought leadership can be achieved without a book.

•Civility and Respect in Social Media Discourse: The episode explores the dynamics of thought leadership on social media, where it can be challenging to maintain civility and respect in discussions. Robert suggests that engaging in respectful disagreement, seeking dialogue, and contributing thoughtful comments are crucial for meaningful exchanges. He underscores that these interactions can help build relationships and open doors to new audiences. This approach fosters a collaborative environment where different viewpoints are valued and
respected.

Whether you publ